The 2023 Bishop Hill’s Midsommar Music Festival is a two-day free, family-friendly event on Saturday June 24, and Sunday, June 25. Some of the highlights of this festival include concerts in the park, a Scandinavian folk dance workshop, and a Swedish Maypole celebration.

Attendees are asked to bring a lawn chair and join in the celebration of the Swedish holiday in Bishop Hill. The free concerts at the Village Park gazebo will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

This year’s lineup includes Black Hawk Pipes and Drums, Emily the Band, Hammer and Pick, Idle Oath, and Sarah and the Underground. Immediately following the musical performances at 4 p.m., everyone is invited to decorate the Maypole with flowers and to join the procession, which will begin in the park and end at the Colony School where visitors can join in the Maypole dancing and have refreshments provided by the Bishop Hill Vasa Lodge.

While festival goers are dining, they can enjoy a taste of Sweden by watching a group of demonstration dancers led by caller Gail Hintze.

“The fun is infectious, so at the close of the meal you’ll be invited to participate in this folk tradition that was once an integral part of the life of most Swedes. Gail will teach all the dances, so everyone can join the merriment,” the press statement reads.

Author Jannifer Stevens Powelson will be signing her books from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Prairie Arts Center on Saturday June 24 only. On Sunday, the free musical performances at the gazebo will continue and begin at 11 a.m.

This year’s lineup includes Barry Cloyd and Brian “Fox” Ellis performing,” An Encounter with the Green Man: A Celtic Summer Solstice Celebration,” Bucky Halker, the Midsommar Quartet from Chicago, Chris Vallillo, and the Nordland Band.

Participants can even learn some new dance steps at the Nordland Band’s 12:30 p.m. workshop in the Dairy Building as they play waltzes and polkas.

“If folks want to dive in feet first, this is an opportunity to learn some simple Swedish dances,” the release said.

Organizers say there will also be plenty of seating available just for listening to the music. The Scandinavian folk dance workshop is free and open to the public. No registration is necessary for this one- hour workshop.

The Vasa National Archives, a short block south of the park, will be offering a Midsummer Respite featuring drinks, snacks, and a make-and-take clay sculpture station on both days of the festival. The public is welcome to view exhibits, enjoy some light refreshments, and make a clay sculpture to take home. The Vasa National Archives will be open from 10am to 4pm.

The Midsommar Music Festival is sponsored by the Bishop Hill Arts Council, Bishop Hill Heritage Association, Bishop Hill State Historic Site, Bishop Hill Old Settler’s Association, Vasa National Archives, Bishop Hill Vasa Lodge #683, and area businesses.

Regional Media is the media sponsor. Funding provided by the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency. American Rescue Plan Funds from Henry County, approved by the Henry County Board, were also used to help finance this event. For directions or more information, visit www.visitbishophill.com, or call 309-927-3899.